Development through Self-Reliance, Inc (DSR)

Besides distributing African social message videos, DSR exports computer equipment to the developing world; concentrating on Africa. DSR provides friendly, fast and reliable service. Our main business activities are exporting computers and TOSHIBA laptop sales and service. For the last dozen years, our computer business has provided financial support to our film distribution and production efforts. We sell videos, but at a non-profit price that is subsidized from our computer business.

For more than twelve years, DSR has exported computers to Africa and to the rest of the world. We average five to ten overseas shipments per week. DSR stocks a broad inventory of 220 volt equipment and is committed to helping clients use their computers anywhere in the wrld. DSR provides individual consultatioon and continued after-sale service to its customers. We respond within one business day to all tech-support faxes and emails from overseas customers. Also we're flexible in helping get problems solved quickly and with the least expense.

DSR is one of the largest repair shops for Toshiba in the USA. We have repaired over 27,000 Toshibas and consistently receive high ratings from Toshiba on the basis of customer satisfaction feedback. DSR stocks over $300,000 worth of spare parts, including hard-to-come-by parts for older models. We are also an authorized repair and service center for Compaq and Texas Instruments portable computers.

DSR thoroughly tests all computer equipment. In each type of hardware, we select the highest quality and most reliable brands to sell to our customers. We have based our decisions on feedback from our customers in developing countries. We distribute 220 volt / A4 versions of HP deskjets and laserjets; Epson dot matrix printers, American Power Conversion, Tripplite, and Best UPSs, surge protectors, and voltage regulators. We focus on Toshiba portable computers as the most reliable available, and Gateway 2000 desktop computers, as they are inexpensive, well known, and as good as any. We carry a wide variety of other equipment and virtually any software, including academic discount software for faculty, staff and students of American universities.

DSR is an unusual blend of profit and non-profit business. We are now 20 full-time and 5 part-time staff. DSR established and financed Media for Development International (MFDI), an American 501(c)3 non-profit agency, and Media for Development Trust, a Zimbabwean registered charity. They produce and distribute social message films and videos. Some of their key productions include: Consequences; It's Not Easy; Neria; More Time and Everyone's Child. DSR and our network of sub-distributors have distributed over 20,000 videos mostly into Africa, and had hundreds of our titles broadcast on African television stations.

MFDI is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Support received from AIDSCOM, Calmeadow, CIDA, DANIDA, DSR, FHI/AIDSCAP, Ford Foundation, Government of Botswana, JHPIEGO, CHU/CCP, Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Board of Missions, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, NORAD, NVR/Rockefeller, SIDA, UNESCO, Wallace Genetic Foundation, World Bank, World Learning, and individual donors.